The Forgotten 15
New claims for unemployment benefits were down last week and U.S. workers' productivity rose in the third quarter for the first time this year. While there are signs that the economy is improving, there are more signs that the economy is still in a historic sluggish downturn.
While I do not believe that the federal government creates jobs, I do believe that we can set the table for economic growth. That's why the House has passed over 15 bills that would make way for job creation and economic growth. But instead of working with us and moving forward with the legislative process, these bills— also known as the "Forgotten 15"— are stuck in the Senate where they have been refused a vote.
The "Forgotten 15" includes legislation to empower small business owners, such as the EPA Regulatory Relief Act (H.R. 2250), to curtail burdensome regulations and the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (H.R. 2433), to help curb rising veteran unemployment. There are also five bills that have been passed to lower high energy costs by increasing domestic energy production and leading us towards energy independence.
And just last month, the House passed legislation (H.R. 674) to repeal the 3% withholding rule—an onerous provision that could hurt cash flow for businesses.
It is possible that we can work together— passage of the three pending trade agreements with Panama, South Korea and Colombia last month is proof of this. If President Obama and the Senate are serious about job creation, they will work to pass these common sense jobs bills.
Sincerely,
